Amazon.com description: Product Description: These fresh essays, by the editors and by A.J. Avery-Peck, C. Dewald, S. Mason, M. Aviam, G.W.E. Nickelsburg, G.G Porton and L.H. Schiffman, ask: (1) why was the past studied in biblical antiquity, and (2) what sorts of information did the Scripture-producers in Judaism and Christianity require and use? Subjects include issues of history in: ancient Israel, ancient Greece, the Dead Sea scrolls, Apocalyptic Literature, Josephus, Rabbinic Judaism, Archaeology, Jesus, Paul, James, Gamaliel. The contributors are leading authorities. Suitable for classroom use.